Nicolas Anelka has revealed that his failure to secure a permanent move from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool in 2002 remains his biggest regret. The French striker joined the Reds on loan in December 2001, scoring five goals in 22 appearances, but the club opted not to make the deal permanent, instead signing El Hadji Diouf.
Anelka's Honest Admission
Anelka told the ECHO in 2020: “This is my biggest regret as well because I knew it was the perfect match. Everything was perfect! I loved everything about the club. I had an amazing relationship with the fans. I loved them and I think it was reciprocal.”
Why the Move Fell Through
According to Anelka, the deal collapsed because manager Gerard Houllier was unwilling to meet his salary demands. “It’s simple: it didn’t happen because Gerard Houllier wanted to pay a lower salary,” he said. “It’s acceptable but you have to say it. I wanted to sign from the first minute.”
Houllier initially took Anelka on loan because he was unsure. Negotiations over a permanent transfer began in March 2002, and an agreement on wages was reached in April. However, the move never materialised. Anelka learned of Liverpool’s decision through the news, hearing that Houllier was targeting another player.
Phil Thompson's Role
Anelka also praised assistant manager Phil Thompson, who served as interim manager when Anelka arrived due to Houllier’s recovery from heart surgery. He said: “I loved my time with Phil Thompson, more so than Gerard Houllier. Phil Thompson was a typical Scouser. Direct and straight. He’ll tell you what he likes and when he doesn’t like it, you would know. This is exactly what I want and what I like from people.”
Thompson later revealed that Anelka’s representatives had tried to engineer a move back to Arsenal, a claim Anelka dismissed as false. “If it was true, why didn’t I sign for Arsenal when Liverpool announced in the press they weren’t going to sign me?” he asked.
Legacy and Current Context
The decision to sign Diouf over Anelka is widely considered one of Liverpool’s biggest transfer mistakes. Diouf managed only six goals in two seasons and was involved in controversies, while Anelka went on to score 45 goals in three seasons at Manchester City before enjoying further success at Chelsea, winning the Premier League and FA Cups.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and PSG are again in transfer negotiations, this time over winger Bradley Barcola, with the French champions reportedly demanding £145m for the World Cup winner.
